Georgetown Celebrates Spirit of Christmas with Advent and Carols

Rev. Kevin O'Brien, S.J., vice president of mission and ministry at Georgetown, speaks to the congregation gathered in Holy Trinity Catholic Church during the Advent Lessons and Carols program.

Members of the Georgetown and neighboring communities listen to the nine lessons and various hymns and anthems at Holy Trinity that focus on the spirit of Advent, or anticipation of celebrating Christmas Day.

The merry voices of the Georgetown's chapel and gospel choirs also add to the university's Advent Lessons and Carols program at nearby Holy Trinity.

Jack waits to see what presents will arrive under the Christmas tree.

The sounds of Christmas cheer bellow through Gaston Hall as students sing during the annual Tree Lighting ceremony.

The Georgetown University Chamber Singers also perform a holiday medley at the ceremony in front of an audience that filled Gaston Hall.

President John J. DeGioia thanks the members of the a cappella group Harmony for lending their voices, along with six other student groups, to the album Joy To The World: Holiday A Cappella Vocal Music, Georgetown University 2013.

The children of Georgetown faculty and staff partake in holiday treats during the annual children's party hosted by the president's office.

A cappella group SuperFood, also featured on this year's holiday album, sings to some of the smallest members of the Georgetown family during the Children's Holiday Party.

Georgetown and Washington, D.C., residents celebrate community in Riggs Library during a Holiday Open House on campus.

December 17, 2013– Georgetown began celebrating Christmas with a variety of programs and events that focused on spiritual, musical and communal traditions.

"During this time of year, our Georgetown community comes together in many ways, in the spirit that animates our community," says Georgetown President John J. DeGioia.

Rain did little to dampen the spirits of university community members on Dec. 6 when the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony was moved inside to Gaston Hall. Student singing groups took the stage to entertain a filled Gaston Hall as the audience awaited the lighting of the tree.

That same day, the tiny tots of Georgetown faculty and staff enjoyed sweet candies and other confections during the annual Children’s Holiday Party hosted by the president’s office.

The Dec. 6 evening closed with an Advent Lessons and Carols program at nearby Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where members of the Georgetown community gathered with members of neighboring communities to celebrate the anticipation of Christmas Day and the birth of Jesus Christ.

"This spirit of peace and hope is especially meaningful to us now, in this holiday season, and calls on us to reflect upon the unique contributions each of us can make – by virtue of our talents, gifts and passions – to one another, this community, and our global family, especially those most in need," says DeGioia.

This year also called for celebrating the university’s release of a holiday album featuring seven a cappella student groups. Joy To The World: Holiday A Cappella Vocal Music, Georgetown University 2013 may be downloaded from Loudr! and iTunes.